Drain Protector

ABSTRACT

A drain protector, comprises a central pillar and a plurality of protrusions extending radially from the central pillar. The protrusion can catch the hair and debris, and uphold the protector within the drain with different diameters.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a drain protector. More particularly, the drain protector is adapted for different drains to catch hair and stop water.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

A drain protector is used to prevent the drain being clogged by foreign objects, especially hairs for residence using. The most common drain protector is a piece of cover with multiple holes on it. The protector is fixed over the inlet of the drain, the water can flow through the holes into the drain, the hair and foreign objects larger than the diameter of the hole will be stopped.

There are many problems for these traditional drain protectors. First, if the drain protector is used for a shower stall, it is usually fixed on the ground by screws. Therefore it will be very inconvenient to remove or replace the protector for cleaning. If the drain protector is used in a sink or a tub, then the stopper can't be used at the same time. To let reserved water flow, the stopper has to be removed first and then the protector can be applied, during this period, foreign object may enter into the drain.

Second, there is no one standard size of drain, especially for sink and tub. The drain may have different diameters, shapes and heights. Therefore manufacturer has to produce protectors with many different sizes, and user has to find out the right protector with the right size. This is inconvenient and inefficient.

Most importantly, since the conventional drain protector uses holes, the area that water can flow through is reduced more than a half, this largely decreased the water flow. Additionally, these holes are quite easy to be blocked by hairs and grease. This further slows the water flow and requests the protector to be cleaned frequently.

Considering all these disadvantages mentioned above, it would be desirable to provide a drain protector which is easy to use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to develop a drain protector to protect drain from clog.

Another objective of the present invention is to develop a drain protector which is adaptable for different sizes of the drain.

Another objective of the present invention is to develop a drain protector which is easy to clean.

Another objective of the present invention is to develop a drain protector which is able to be used as a stopper.

Another objective of the present invention is to develop a drain protector which is able to be catch hair and residue without slowing water flow.

The invention comprises the following, in whole or part:

A central pillar having a top end and a bottom end; and

A plurality of protrusions extending radially from the bottom end of the central pillar, wherein the protrusions are able to be inserted into the drain to catch hair and debris by the protrusions.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention with its objectives and distinctive features and advantages, reference is now made to the following specification and to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drain protector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a drain protector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a drain protector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional perspective view of a drain protector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a drain protector according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a drain protector according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional perspective view of a drain protector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a drain protector illustrating the protector is installed in the drain and the drain is sealed.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a drain protector illustrating the protector is installed in the drain and the drain is unsealed.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a drain protector according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a drain protector installed in a drain according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 depict a preferred embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the drain protector comprises a central pillar 10, and a plurality of protrusions 20.

The central pillar 10 is in a cylinder shape having a top end 11 and a bottom end 12. Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the center of the central pillar 10 has a cylinidric through hole 14 in order to save material and weight, also to receive other parts. Alternatively the through hole 14 may have different shapes. Alternatively, the central pillar 10 could be solid without any through hole. Alternatively, the cross section of the central pillar 10 may have different shapes instead of a round shape, for example, a polygon. The height of the central pillar 10 may also be different.

The central pillar 10 also has multiple ridges 13 extending longitudinally on the surface of the central pillar 10, from the top end 11 of the central pillar 10 to the protrusions 20. Every two ridges 13 next to each other form a groove 15 to guide the water flow. Preferably, the ridges 13 are straight and are distributed evenly on the surface of the central pillar 10. Alternatively, the ridges 13 are spiral to adapt the whirlpool of the water flow. The ridges 13 can also strengthen the central pillar 10 therefore the central pillar 10 can be made thinner to increase the water flow. It is worth mentioning, the radius from the axis of the central pillar 10 to the top of the ridge 13 is less than the radius of the drain. In another word, when the protector is inserted into the drain, the ridges 13 won't touch the edge of the drain.

The protrusions 20 are at the bottom end 12 of the central pillar 10. Referring to FIG. 1, each protrusion 20 is in a stick shape, extending radially from the surface of the central pillar 10. Each protrusion 20 has the same length, therefore the protrusions 20 form a cylinder, the central pillar 10 is on the central axis, and the distance from the axis to the tip of the protrusion is the radius of the cylinder. It is worth mentioning, the radius of the cylinder formed by the protrusions is equal or little larger than the radius of the drain which will be protected.

The protrusions 20 may be arranged in multiple levels. Referring to FIG. 2, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the protrusions 20 are arranged in 3 levels. Each level has the same number of protrusions 20 and the protrusions 20 are distributed evenly. For different levels, the position of the protrusions 20 are shifted for a little angle therefore all protrusions 20 may be distributed more evenly to increase the chance to catch hair. For example, according to FIG. 1, each level has 8 protrusions 20, and every 2 protrusions 20 next to each other have 45 degree in between. Also every level has 22.5 degree shift from the next level. Alternatively, the number of protrusions 20 may not be the same. For example, the lower level may have more protrusions 20 than the higher level. Alternatively, the protrusions 20 may not be arranged in levels obviously.

The shape of the protrusion 20 may also be different. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in an embodiment of the invention, the protrusions 20 on the top level has a cone shape, and the protrusions 20 on other levels have semi-cylinder shape. The length of the protrusions 20 of different levels may also be different.

Referring FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the ridges 13 and the protrusions 20 on the top level have the same number. Each ridge 13 is connected with a protrusion on the top level. Also, the diameter of the protrusion 20 is equal or smaller than the width of the bottom of the ridge 13. In another word, there is no protrusion inside the groove 15 to block it, and the protrusions 20 connected with the ridges 13 won't narrow the grooves. In this way, when the protrusions 20 are full of hair and grease, the grooves 15 are still clear for water to flow.

Preferably, the embodiment of the present invention is made of plastic, rubber, or other materials with a certain strength and flexibility, therefore the drain protector can be inserted into the inlet of the drain with the tips of the protrusions 20 pressing against the inner edge of the drain. H Since the diameter of the protrusion part is usually larger than the inner diameter of the drain, the flexible protrusions 20 will be bent in the drain. The elastic force by the bent protrusion will uphold the drain protector in position. In this way, the drain protector can be installed into different sizes of drain and sustained there without using any extra fastening parts. It can also be removed from the drain easily for cleaning or replacement.

Referring to FIG. 5 to FIG. 11, in an embodiment of the invention, the drain protector further comprises a cap 30 on the top end 11 of the central pillar 10. Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the cap 30 is in a round shape and has the same diameter as the protrusion portion. The cap 30 is used to hide the drain protector as well as the drain. It may be made of different material than the central pillar 10 and is coupled to the top of the central pillar 10. Preferably the cap 30 is replaceable to match the faucet of the sink, tub or shower where the drain locates. Alternatively, the cap 30 is made of thermochromic material to indicate the temperature of the water. Referring to FIG. 6, the cap 30 comprises a shaft 31 which is able to be plugged into the through hole 14 at the top end 11 of the central pillar 10 to couple the cap 30 and the central pillar 10 together. Once inserted into the drain, the cap 30 and the edge of the inlet of the drain can have a gap to let the water flow, and stop foreign objects at the same time.

Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, in an alternative embodiment, the drain protector further comprises a base 40 which can be placed over the inlet of the drain. The base 40 comprises an extended skirt 41 to rest on the edge of the drain, the bottom of the base has a plurality of holes 42 to let water flow. The central pillar 10 and the protrusions 20 are received inside the base for catching hair. The cap 30 is over the base 40 to cover the opening of the base 40.

Referring to FIG. 7 to FIG. 11, the drain protector also comprises a stopper 50 on the top end 11 of the central pillar 10 to stop water. Referring to FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, the stopper 50 is a cover in a dome shape and has a larger diameter than the inlet of the drain. The stopper 50 is made of elastic material. The stopper 50 may also be made of thermochromic material to indicate the temperature of the water. Referring to FIG. 8, when the drain protector is inserted into the inlet of the drain, the stopper 50 can cover the inlet of the drain and seal it to stop the water from flowing down the drain. Referring to FIG. 9, when the stopper 50 is lifted up, the water can flow into the drain. In this manner, the drain protector does not move up and down in the drain.

Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, in an alternative embodiment, the stopper 50 is a gasket and is under the cap 30. When the drain protector is pushed down, the gasket 50 can cover and seal the inlet of the drain to stop the water; when the drain protector is pulled up the gasket 50 can be lifted and let the water flow.

In the embodiment, the drain protector further comprises a connector 60 to hook up with a pivot rod. Therefore the drain protector can be controlled as a pop up stopper. Preferably, the connector 60 is an extension stem which is detachably coupled with the central pillar 10 by plugging in the through hole 14. The connection is adjustable for different stopper control.

While the embodiments and alternatives of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A drain protector, comprising: a central pillar having a top end and a bottom end; and a plurality of protrusions extending radially from the bottom end of the central pillar, wherein the protrusions are able to be inserted into the drain to catch hair and debris.
 2. The drain protector, as recited in claim 1, wherein the protrusions are in stick shape with the tips pressing the inner edge of the drain to removably uphold the drain protector in the drain.
 3. The drain protector, as recited in claim 2, wherein the protrusions are made of elastic material, and are flexible to be inserted into drains with different sizes.
 4. The drain protector, as recited in claim 3, wherein the protrusions are arranged in one of more levels, and are distributed evenly around the bottom end of the central pillar, with distance between each other to let water flow.
 5. The drain protector, as recited in claim 4, wherein further comprises a plurality of ridges extending longitudinally on the surface of the central pillar, from the top end of the central pillar to the protrusions, wherein every two ridges next to each other form a groove to guide the water flow.
 6. The drain protector, as recited in claim 5, wherein each ridge is connected with a protrusion, wherein no protrusion is in the grooves to block the water flow therein.
 7. The drain protector, as recited in claim 4, wherein further comprises a stopper on the top end of the central pillar which is able to stop water flowing when the drain protector is inserted into a drain.
 8. The drain protector, as recited in claim 7, wherein the stopper comprises a cover in a dome shape to cover the inlet of the drain to stop the water, wherein the edge of the cover can be lifted to release the water as the drain protector remains in the original position.
 9. The drain protector, as recited in claim 7, wherein the stopper is a gasket, wherein when the drain protector is pushed down, the gasket is able to cover the inlet of the drain to stop the water; and when the drain protector is pulled up, the gasket is able to uncover the inlet of the drain to release the water.
 10. The drain protector, as recited in claim 9, wherein further comprises a connector coupled with the bottom end of the central pillar to hook up with a pivot rod to be controlled as a pop up stopper.
 11. The drain protector, as recited in claim 7, wherein the stopper is make of thermochromic material to indicate the temperature of the water.
 12. The drain protector, as recited in claim 4, wherein further comprises a cap coupled on the top end of the central pillar which is able to cover the inlet of the drain and to stop foreign object to flow into the drain when the drain protector is inserted into the drain.
 13. The drain protector, as recited in claim 12, wherein the cap is make of thermochromic material to indicate the temperature of the water.
 14. The drain protector, as recited in claim 4, wherein the central pillar is in a cylindric shape.
 15. The drain protector, as recited in claim 14, wherein the central pillar has a through hole in the center.
 16. The drain protector, as recited in claim 6, wherein further comprises a stopper on the top end of the central pillar which is able to stop water flow when the drain protector is inserted into a drain.
 17. The drain protector, as recited in claim 16, wherein the stopper comprises a cover in a dome shape to cover the inlet of the drain to stop the water, wherein the edge of the cover can be lifted to release the water as the drain protector remains in the original position.
 18. The drain protector, as recited in claim 16, wherein the stopper is a gasket, wherein when the drain protector is pushed down, the gasket is able to cover the inlet of the drain to stop the water; and when the drain protector is pulled up, the gasket is able to uncover the inlet of the drain to release the water.
 19. The drain protector, as recited in claim 10, wherein further comprises a cap over the stopper which is able to cover the inlet of the drain and to stop foreign object to flow into the drain when the drain protector is inserted into the drain.
 20. The drain protector, as recited in claim 18, wherein further comprises a cap over the stopper which is able to cover the inlet of the drain and to stop foreign object to flow into the drain when the drain protector is inserted into the drain. 